"His second priority in life was music. There was no third. His first priority, far ahead of the other, was healing or comforting anyone in need," a statement on his website read, announcing his death.

Jarreau was reportedly forced into retirement due to exhaustion. He was hospitalized in Los Angeles and then cared for by a medical team in the days leading up to his death, according to the Associated Press.

Born in Milwaukee, Jarreau arrived as a jazz singer on the Sunset Strip in the 1960s, and rose to national fame through guest spots on "The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson'' and shows hosted by Merv Griffin, Dinah Shore, Mike Douglas and others.

He was featured singer on one installment of the first season of "NBC's Saturday Night Live,'' and in 1976 issued an album that made him an international star, "We Got By.'' Jarreau's first crossover hit in the U.S. -- "We're In This Love Together'' -- made him a stalwart on soft jazz radio stations across the country.

But it was his theme song for the hit TV show "Moonlighting'' that may have been his most famous work.